This is the final week of our 13-week series “Bound and Determined! – Paul’s Farewell Tour”
Introduction
Last week’s message dealt with Paul being bitten by a snake with unexpected results. This week, we will be looking at Paul’s two-year stay in Rome.
Message
Read Acts 28:11-31
Paul’s Arrival at Rome
11 “After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29]
30 For two whole years, Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
The verses speak for themselves. Paul was well regarded by the followers of The Way as evidenced by the fact that they traveled a great distance to see him. He was also well regarded by the people who were in charge of him as he was allowed to live by himself with only one guard. Note: He was chained to a guard 24/7 with the changing of the guard every 4 hours. And this went on for 2 years. One can only imagine what the guards had to say about Paul among themselves because they were present at every occasion that Paul presented the Gospel.
Notice that Paul made one last appeal to his Jewish brethren with some believing what he said about becoming a follower of Jesus while others said “no.”
There is evidence that Paul was found innocent of the charges at his trial before Nero based on 2 Timothy 4:16-17 “6 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.” History does not tell us exactly what happened to Paul as far his ministry is concerned after his acquittal although we know that there must have been another arrest and trial which ultimately led to his execution along with Peter. The conjecture is that Nero (the emperor) may have set fire to Rome to have a complete makeover of the city and when the people started blaming him that he shifted the blame to the Christians whose section of Rome did not burn. And with Paul and Peter being identified as the ‘ring leaders’ whereby leading to their execution.
Concluding Remarks and Application
So, what have we learned from this series? Here are a few thoughts.
This was a Holy Spirit journey.
Things do not always go according to plans.
God was in control from start to finish.
Paul never gave up on his Jewish brethren.
Paul never lashed out at his enemies.
Paul used every opportunity to boldly present the Gospel.
The resurrection of Jesus was central to Paul’s message.
We should be encouraged by this series with the understanding that God is with us on our journey just as He was with Paul. Let us never give up or give in and let us boldly witness to those around us and those who we come in contact.
